WITH limited access to public markets due to existing community quarantine protocol amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, more and more fishermen in Central Visayas have resorted to online selling.
“We are happy that people are venturing into this enterprise to cater to the needs of people in their localities,” said Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) 7 Director Allan Poquita during a virtual talk show aired on the official Facebook page of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.
Provincial fishery officers in Central Visayas, who joined the online talk show, shared the same observation.
Candido Samijon, provincial fishery officer of Bfar Bohol, said they have recorded more than 1,000 people in the agricultural island who have been peddling fish products in recent months in the high-traffic areas like Tagbilaran City.
Edgardo Delfin, head of Bfar Cebu, said they have been encouraging people to explore the income opportunities in fish selling.
“People have found another source of income during this crisis,” he said.
Bfar 7 plans to raise fish production in the region through the provision of fingerlings and technical assistance to small-scale fisherfolk and fisherfolk organizations.
This is in response to the call of Agriculture Secretary William Dar to refocus the agency’s programs to respond immediately to the effects of the health crisis to the fishery sector.
The agency has also stepped up its regular price monitoring, fishing boats distribution and constant dialog with fisherfolk groups to ensure the fishery sector’s sustained contribution in the government’s food security program.
There are more than 100,000 registered fisherfolks in Central Visayas, according to Bfar 7. (WBS with PR)